Having had a blast playing with water during Songkran, a “reincarnated” King Taksin the Great was spotted again in Sattahip, this time selling ice cream.
Now played by Lukchai Srinok, 46, the 18th century monarch drove around Najomtien with a sidecar motorbike May 2 selling coconut ice cream with crispy egg. The gimmick worked, as many people stopped to gawk, buy his ice cream and take photos.
The Sukhothai native had crossed swords on his back and the last king of Thonburi’s signature moustache. His sidecar was decorated like a fortress with a cannon in the front. A portrait of the real King Taksin was adhered on the side of the sidecar with message “child of King Taksin’s courtier”.
Lukchai said he started working as an ice cream vendor three years ago in Huay Yai, but loves history, especially King Taksin the Great. So he decided to dress up like his hero to attract customers.
A different “King Taksin” was last seen April 20 in Bang Saray, enjoying the last day of Songkran. Then, 50-year-old Nit Paen-gnam from Chantaburi put on a 1760s-era military uniform and paraded along major roads in the Sattahip sub-district.
Nit said he is a former theater actor and felt a strong bond of loyalty with King Taksin, as he played him in several plays.
